Bill > S868

This bill, titled "Local Government Immigration Compliance," aims to ensure local governments in North Carolina adhere to state laws concerning immigration by establishing new procedures and consequences for noncompliance. It recodifies existing statutes and clarifies that certain documents, such as a "matricula consular" (a consular identification card issued by a foreign consulate) or other local identity documents, are not acceptable for determining a person's identity or residency by government officials, unless specifically authorized by the General Assembly. Furthermore, it prohibits local governments and law enforcement agencies from creating their own policies or ordinances that would allow these documents to be used as identification. The bill also introduces a system where any person can file a complaint with the Attorney General if they believe a city, county, or law enforcement agency is not complying with state immigration laws. The Attorney General is then required to investigate these complaints, and if noncompliance is found, the affected local government will become ineligible to receive certain state funds for the following fiscal year, with potential for extension if compliance is not demonstrated. The bill also outlines consequences for violations related to E-Verify statutes, which are federal laws requiring employers to verify the employment eligibility of new hires. Finally, it includes provisions for the Attorney General to maintain a database of noncompliant entities and report on investigations, and it adds a small fee to civil actions brought under the new immigration compliance law to support the General Court of Justice.